June 28, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -
University of Virginia graduate Erin Horn (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) has been invited to play for the Russian National Softball Team. The 2006 UVa graduate will play for Carrousel Club for three months and return to the United States in mid-September.
Horn, who left for Russia on June 18, will be playing for Carrousel Club, which has been the Russian National Team for the past 12 years. Each year, all the teams in Russia play each other for the national championship title, and the team that wins is the team that receives the funding from the Russian Olympic Committee to be the national team.
"This is a terrific opportunity for Erin," said UVa head coach Karen Johns. "Very few softball players are able to continue playing after college. In addition to continuing to play softball on an elite level, Erin will gain the priceless experience of being immersed in another culture."
Horn was Virginia's top pitcher throughout her career. She concluded her career as Virginia's record holder in pitching appearances (145) and saves (9). Horn posted a career record of 61-44 with a 2.35 ERA. She registered 54 complete games in 89 starts, 11 shutouts and two no-hitters. In 645.2 innings, Horn struck out 676 batters. In addition to holding the school records in appearances and saves, Horn is third all-time at UVa in strikeouts and games started, four in victories and innings pitched, and sixth in complete games and shutouts.
In 2006, Horn captured VaSID All-State Second Team honors, marking the second time she has been a VaSID All-State selection. Horn, who was selected as UVa's Most Valuable Player, posted a 13-12 overall record with a career-best four saves and a 2.03 ERA in 37 pitching appearances. Horn struck out 190 batters in 141.1 innings and held opposing hitters to a .176 batting average. She notched her second career no-hitter against Maine on Feb. 26 while striking out a career-best 16 batters, including 13 consecutive at one point in the contest. Horn was named ACC Player of the Week on Feb. 27.
In addition to pitching in 2006, Horn played outfield and hit for the first time in her career and posted a .243 batting average (33-136) with 19 runs scored and nine stolen bases. She started 54 of UVa's 55 games.
Erin will write about her experience in Russia for virginiasports.com Her journals can be found on under "Features" on the softball page of virginiasports.com
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